Will I never sell this house now I’ve found this out?

[Housesall]

I bought a house in 2022 and decided to sell this year. The agent came round today to do photos and in doing so, commented that the roof had asbestos throughout. He used to work in asbestos and said it looked like it would need to be replaced in around 3 years but it was typical of this sort of gone and nearly all homes from this time period will have it. However I have been googling tonight and it seems most people either won’t buy it at all or will want a price reduction for replacing the roof. Posting here for traffic really as I’m totally alone and I’m already having to move due to some awful circumstances. Thanks.

IT'S NOT VERY RARE FFS!

My daughter has just moved into her first house, built in 1924 in the south east.
Her survey mentioned that there may be asbestos and a specific check confirmed this.
It was in good condition and not damaged but she didn’t want to live with it so had the ceilings replaced at a cost iro £10k.
She could probably have reduced her offer but it was sold by sealed bid and she definitely didn’t make the the highest offer; the vendor wanted it to go to a first time buyer rather than a buy to let.
She was afraid the vendor would re advertise so took the hit and spent her decorating budget on ceilings.

I’ve bought two houses I’ve known had asbestos (both picked up in mid range surveys) so it doesn’t mean it won’t sell but in both instances I got money knocked off the price for the cost of removing it. (Think ten grand each time so may as well price it accordingly)

Are you stupid?

Echoing the advice to go with a different agent and to keep schtum about your personal difficulties. I think that this guy is untrustworthy and taking advantage of your circumstances and others could be similar. Just say you’re moving for work or you fancy living by the beach in Wales or something.

Asbestos was banned from being used in roofing materials in 1999 in the U.K. so if your house out of houses built before then 73 % have some kind of asbestos in the roof.
if you purchased in 2022 a mid range survey should have at least advised the roof contained asbestos and the condition.
only if it is coming to the end of if life and in danger of breaking up is there an issue.
I’d re read your original survey it may be advisory comments rather than in the main body.
You can have it tested independently, I’d have a word with local council for list of firms who can do that for you but honestly with 73% of uk housing containing some kind it’s not unusual.
I’d suggest getting at least 2 other agents in.

Never trust an EA

No. Why? Are you?

So many houses have asbestos in them. If it wasn't picked up by your surveyor it can't be a problem. I would definitely go with another agent.

We had a mid range survey done on our Victorian house and the asbestos roof tiles were picked up by the Surveyor. They look like slate so it was a bit of a surprise. We offered lower than the asking price as a consequence, citing this and the offer was accepted. 14 years on, the roof tiles are still in situ. At some point it will need redoing anyway (even if the tiles are still holding up) as the tiles are laid on the battens (again typical of this age house)

Tips won't take asbestos. If you're suggesting you conceal it and take it, that's massively irresponsible and dangerous to anyone else who ends up unknowingly handling it.

But how can he be absolutely sure it’s asbestos without testing it? Surely they need to take a sample for testing or do an air test to check for airborne particles. Only then can they establish if it really is present and, if so, if it’s enough to present any health risks.

Hi OP, my DH is a surveyor and he has said your survey should have mentioned the that they suspect asbestos and to have it tested by a specialist. He said even a ‘basic’ survey should have picked this up.

You could go back to your surveyor about this.

Can you attach a photo of it?

Leave it. Asbestos is really common. Put it on the market, maybe even add a bit to the price and then if the buyer drops it you’re on an even keel

This

We had a full survey and have still found asbestos In the weirdest places.
you will sell your house OP. Most houses have it somewhere

It depends on the type.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/recycling-and-waste/what-can-i-recycle/asbestos/asbestos.aspx

Asbestos removal prices are astronomical. I expect that if anyone was interested they would want a huge discount.

Quite right. Of course it should. It's a very basic thing to pick up on.

I had asbestos tiles in my 1950"s ex council house .. Ended up getting a new roof now I'm selling estate agent said I've done the right thing replacing the roof and not the kitchen and bathroom

Go with a different estate agent. Don't mention it, you don't know if it is asbestos or not as it wasn't in your survey. If it comes up in your buyers survey then you may need to drop the price a little but that's still cheaper than getting a new roof now. My Dad has a 4 bed detached house. He recently got a new roof and asbestos removed by specialists. It was £25k, he lives in the Midlands.

Some tips won’t take asbestos but there will be one that does. Our neighbours double wrapped their garage roofing sheets in plastic as the LA advised.we helped out,wore masks and bunny suits (also disposed of at the tip.